Before the discovery of the gold mines, San Francisco was a harbour frequented by whalers, who put in there to refit and take in provisions.
"A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas"
Fanny Loviot
He hoped to return to Hong-Kong and refit, but was assailed during the night by three Chinese junks, and plundered without mercy.
"A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas"
Fanny Loviot
On his return, Captain Porter had decided to go at once to some islands far out in the Pacific, where he could refit the Essex, and so they sailed in that direction, and when near the islands they were sighted by some of the natives who paddled out in a canoe to meet them, and eagerly invited the sailors ashore, promising them fruit and other provisions.
"Ten Boys from History"
Kate Dickinson Sweetser